Heatwave: “hardcore” techno festival canceled in the Netherlands after red alert

The “hardcore” techno festival Defqon.1 in the Netherlands was canceled on Friday June 26 due to the heatwave, shortly after the Dutch authorities issued a red alert for eight provinces in the country.

“This is the first time that the Netherlands has issued a red alert due to high temperatures. In collaboration with the authorities, we are therefore forced to cancel the remaining days of Defqon.1”indicated the organizer of the Q-dance festival on his site.

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The festival, which attracted nearly 250,000 visitors in 2025 to its site in Biddinhuizen, in the province of Flevoland (central), had just started Thursday evening and was to be held until June 28. “We are absolutely devastated by this news”added the organizer.

“At some point, we reach a tipping point in terms of the safety of visitors and employees”Sander Bijlstra, director of Q-dance, told the ANP news agency. According to Q-dance, tens of thousands of visitors who arrived yesterday are currently staying at the site’s campsite.

The Lago Lago electronic festival in Stroombroek, Gelderland (east), has chosen to restrict alcohol service at least until 6 p.m. due to the heat, and will reassess the situation once this time has passed.

The Netherlands Meteorological Institute issued an unprecedented red alert for Friday because of the heat, indicating that temperatures locally could reach 40 degrees, and warning of the many dangers of the situation.